Saturday, April 21, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Only one week and some change...
There is only one week and a few days remaining until I step on the stage to compete since NPC Team Universe 2011. It really feels good to be back in my groove again.
Reflecting back to 2011 competition year, I know that I come along way, physically but mostly mentally and spiritually. Last year was a whirlwind! My season started off by my first Overall placing at a NPC event in Iowa. My season peaked with a first place finish in figure class E at NPC Jr Nationals and finished with a 6th place trophy at Team Universe.
I was so wiped out after 7 long months of continuous dieting. My body had enough and I was ready for an off season. I knew I had to be productive for once. I had previously had off seasons where I would stay about 8-10 pounds from contest weight but never putting on the size I needed to really present a new package. I knew I wanted to do different this time around, so I did. I put on the size and had to learn to be comfortable walking around 25 pounds more that I would ever think I could grow used to.
Physically it was easy, mentally, not so much. None of my clothes fit and sometimes I couldn't even recognize myself. I questioned if it was worth all of this. I asked myself why put myself through such torture. I had to learn to accept me, big or small.
I had a responsibility to do better, for myself, family, friends, clients, associates and everyone else who supported my journey. I never knew how much the win at 2011 NPC Jr National meant to so many people! There I was, one of six beautiful, amazing, African American women who were also winners of their figure class. For once, aspiring figure competitors had 6 women to look up to! So I knew then that I couldn't quit and that I had to do better. This was bigger than me...
So here we are, embarking on a new year of competitions. There will be highs and there will be lows, but I won't stop putting forth my best. It doesn't mean I will always be NUMBER ONE but it will mean that I will always be striving for a better me!
Here's to a great new season!
Reflecting back to 2011 competition year, I know that I come along way, physically but mostly mentally and spiritually. Last year was a whirlwind! My season started off by my first Overall placing at a NPC event in Iowa. My season peaked with a first place finish in figure class E at NPC Jr Nationals and finished with a 6th place trophy at Team Universe.
I was so wiped out after 7 long months of continuous dieting. My body had enough and I was ready for an off season. I knew I had to be productive for once. I had previously had off seasons where I would stay about 8-10 pounds from contest weight but never putting on the size I needed to really present a new package. I knew I wanted to do different this time around, so I did. I put on the size and had to learn to be comfortable walking around 25 pounds more that I would ever think I could grow used to.
Physically it was easy, mentally, not so much. None of my clothes fit and sometimes I couldn't even recognize myself. I questioned if it was worth all of this. I asked myself why put myself through such torture. I had to learn to accept me, big or small.
I had a responsibility to do better, for myself, family, friends, clients, associates and everyone else who supported my journey. I never knew how much the win at 2011 NPC Jr National meant to so many people! There I was, one of six beautiful, amazing, African American women who were also winners of their figure class. For once, aspiring figure competitors had 6 women to look up to! So I knew then that I couldn't quit and that I had to do better. This was bigger than me...
So here we are, embarking on a new year of competitions. There will be highs and there will be lows, but I won't stop putting forth my best. It doesn't mean I will always be NUMBER ONE but it will mean that I will always be striving for a better me!
Here's to a great new season!
 |
| Photo courtesy of Black Women Do Workout |
Monday, April 9, 2012
Congratulations to Kathy Johnson!
Round of applause for an incredible showing for first time competitor Kathy Johnson at the 2012 ABA Natural Illinois Championships! It was a HUGE show and she placed top five in all categories entered!
Katt or "Mighty Mouse" as some of her team mates have named her, received 4th place in Masters 35+ and 4th place in Open Figure Short.
Katt has big plans for the year so this will not be the last you will see of her! Way to making an EPIC first showing!!
Katt or "Mighty Mouse" as some of her team mates have named her, received 4th place in Masters 35+ and 4th place in Open Figure Short.
Katt has big plans for the year so this will not be the last you will see of her! Way to making an EPIC first showing!!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
3.5 week progress update photo!
So here we are 3.5 weeks away from my first in NPC show of 2012 season!
What a tough road this has been.
Dieting down hasn't been so easy this time around due to the weight I gained on my off-season. I purposefully gained around 20 to 25 pounds on my off season in order to put on some more size. So when you gave that kind of weight you have to diet down longer but slower and add a little bit of cardio.
I thought I was going to hate the cardio but I have to actually learn to appreciate it. Everything provided in a good prep has a place therefore I use cardio as a helpful tool. I do not over use it or I abuse it.
So I just wanted to give you a quick update. Everything is going well and I will be hitting the stage very soon!
TTYL!
Chaya
What a tough road this has been.
Dieting down hasn't been so easy this time around due to the weight I gained on my off-season. I purposefully gained around 20 to 25 pounds on my off season in order to put on some more size. So when you gave that kind of weight you have to diet down longer but slower and add a little bit of cardio.
I thought I was going to hate the cardio but I have to actually learn to appreciate it. Everything provided in a good prep has a place therefore I use cardio as a helpful tool. I do not over use it or I abuse it.
So I just wanted to give you a quick update. Everything is going well and I will be hitting the stage very soon!
TTYL!
Chaya
Sunday, March 25, 2012
NEWEST EPIC TEAM MEMBER! Katt! Coming to an ABA near you!
Introducing Newest
Epic Figures Team Member
Katt!
Kathy Johnson is a 48 year old professional who started with Epic Figures late in 2011 with dreams to compete in her first show. I knew right away she meant business. One of the first things she told me is that she either "does it well or not at all". There is no half stepping with Katt!
Kathy is extremely dedicated and continues to be a hard worker both in and out of the gym. She is thorough in her research and approach and wants to put her best foot forward. She has come a great distance and her physique is improving every step of the way!
I'm looking forward to seeing Kathy on the stage in two weeks. Both of her coaches will be right there rooting her on!
Go Katt! GO!
Katt February 2012
Katt March 2012!
For more information on joining Epic Figures Team or training at Definition Fitness, contact Chaya at Chaya@definition-fit.com
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Welcome to week 7! 5 Mo To Go! Thank God for tea!
Here we are, three weeks after my last set of progress photos shot at 8 weeks. All photos are taken under the same lighting, same place, no food or water in my belly.
My weight is about 5-6lb down from where I was in my last set of update photos.
This prep has been a toughy! It's not the diet/ workouts per se but my hectic work schedule. My days start at 545am and end at 8pm due to my traffic commute. It's definitely not ideal. It has been extremely stressful but I'm hanging in there. My work buddies are extremely supportive and are aware of my endeavors!
On thing that I have grown to love is tea!! Oh my! I love tea!!! All kinds of tea! White tea, green tea, red tea caffeinated,decaf, I love em all. My favorites are by Republic
Of Teas and Teavana. I have grown quite a collection. I have a workmate who also has a love for teas. She brings her collection to work, has a little tea set like me and we swap loose leaf teas! It's crazy I know. But it's delicious and it helps me through my cravings for something "not on plan"!
So here was are. More than halfway through prep for contest número UNO of the season. I'm expecting (more like hoping) these last few weeks will breeze by!!!
Ttyl!
Chaya
My weight is about 5-6lb down from where I was in my last set of update photos.
This prep has been a toughy! It's not the diet/ workouts per se but my hectic work schedule. My days start at 545am and end at 8pm due to my traffic commute. It's definitely not ideal. It has been extremely stressful but I'm hanging in there. My work buddies are extremely supportive and are aware of my endeavors!
On thing that I have grown to love is tea!! Oh my! I love tea!!! All kinds of tea! White tea, green tea, red tea caffeinated,decaf, I love em all. My favorites are by Republic
Of Teas and Teavana. I have grown quite a collection. I have a workmate who also has a love for teas. She brings her collection to work, has a little tea set like me and we swap loose leaf teas! It's crazy I know. But it's delicious and it helps me through my cravings for something "not on plan"!
So here was are. More than halfway through prep for contest número UNO of the season. I'm expecting (more like hoping) these last few weeks will breeze by!!!
Ttyl!
Chaya
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